NORTHWEST, NJ — The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently announced that it has preserved one site and supported the protection of two additional parcels totaling 454 acres in Warren and Sussex counties. These efforts are part of Bobcat Alley, a habitat preservation project in New Jersey’s section of the Appalachian Mountains.
The 96,000-acre corridor—located between the Kittatinny Ridge and the Highlands—features mature forests, cold-water streams, and rock outcrops that provide ideal conditions for iconic species like the state-endangered bobcat and the wood turtle. It also protects drinking water for residents of northern New Jersey. The area is important not only for the state but also on a continental scale, serving as a vital link in the 2,000-mile Appalachian Mountain range, one of the world’s most resilient and species-rich landscapes.
Project leads at TNC and The Land Conservancy of New Jersey (TLC-NJ), based in Montville Township, secured $2,924,400 in public and private funds toward the total project cost of $3,245,800. The Big G Foundation of Basking Ridge, contributed the remaining $321,400. Additional partners included the Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund—a joint initiative of the William Penn Foundation (Philadelphia, Pa.) and the Open Space Institute (New York, N.Y.)—as well as the New Jersey Green Acres Program (Trenton), Warren County, and Knowlton Township.
TNC led the protection of the first parcel: 189 acres of fields and forest in the Mount Pleasant section of Knowlton Township, Warren County. The property serves as a key link in habitat connectivity between the Kittatinny Ridge and the Paulins Kill valley, and includes Yards Creek and Category One stretches of the Paulins Kill. The preserve will be reforested and managed by Warren County.
For over 20 years, TLC-NJ has worked to safeguard the second site—248 acres of rolling hills and forest in Hampton Township, Sussex County. With the goal now achieved, TLC-NJ will complete critical restoration work before transferring the property to the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust.
Together, TNC and TLC-NJ also protected 17 acres of limestone forest in Frelinghuysen Township, Warren County, adjacent to a parcel conserved in 2024. Both properties flank the Paulins Kill and contain increasingly rare hemlock forest habitat. They will be managed by Warren County as part of the White Lake Natural Area.
“We are building Bobcat Alley piece by piece in a state where the land parcel sizes are modest but cost is at a premium,” said Barbara Brummer, TNC’s New Jersey State Director. “The project takes patience, commitment, and teamwork, and we truly appreciate the partners that stepped up to help us protect these beautiful and critical natural areas for wildlife and people.”
“These two open space projects demonstrate our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecological value of Warren County,” said Jason J. Sarnoski, Director of the Warren County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re proud to be part of these efforts and are grateful to all the collaborators. The addition of this property and the land along the Paulins Kill will enhance our parklands and provide new opportunities for conservation, recreation, and environmental stewardship throughout the Warren County community.”
“Preserving these resilient and connected lands will not only help protect the Paulins Kill and the Delaware River—a vital source of drinking water for millions—but will also safeguard critical forests, meadows, and wildlife habitat,” added Corey Tierney, Director of the Warren County Land Preservation Department. “New Jersey’s portion of the Appalachian range is crucial to the survival of many vulnerable plant and animal species, so it’s important that we protect this amazing landscape before it’s too late.”
“Simultaneously preserving three outstanding properties is the ultimate finale for the effort we have known as the Delaware River Watershed Initiative,” said Sandy Urgo, Vice President of Land Preservation at The Land Conservancy of New Jersey. “We commend the William Penn Foundation, the Open Space Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and New Jersey Green Acres for their partnership and support in completing these and so many other land protection projects that have permanently changed the landscape of New Jersey in recent years. The importance of the Delaware River in this region cannot be overstated. Clean and abundant water is a prerequisite for a thriving economy and healthy cities, counties, and residents.”
Mike Galesi, founder of the Big G Foundation, said he was inspired to support the project in memory of his father, who introduced him to the beauty of the wilderness.
“Now more than ever, with our technological and industrial societies, it is absolutely crucial to preserve what’s left of these undeveloped areas,” Galesi said. “We were happy to help bridge the funding gaps on these three parcels, which—now protected—will move this migratory corridor in northwestern New Jersey closer to completion.”
The Nature Conservancy has already conserved more than 60,000 acres of land in New Jersey and aims to double that figure by 2030—10,000 acres in Bobcat Alley and 50,000 across other priority landscapes statewide.
